Context

South Africans are heirs to an unlikely democracy given the more than 365-year history of colonialism and apartheid in our country, which has indelibly affected our land, heritage and human rights.

Amongst the historically vast array of discriminatory legislation in South Africa, it was the Land Act of 1913 that spatially segregated our people through land dispossession. It amplified the vast canyon of inequality, further shattered the social fabric of communities and radically compromised the economic development of the majority of our citizens. 

Our long struggle for freedom only came after the first democratic elections in 1994, when we could hope for the restitution of land, reclamation of heritage, restoration of dignity and recognition of human rights, within the constitution of South Africa.

Whilst it is evident that significant advances have been made since the dawn of democracy, much more work needs to be done to ensure that we create a non-racial, non-sexist, peaceful and prosperous democratic country. Consequently, it remains critical for us to continuously engage in national dialogue about our political, socio-economic and cultural progress towards a more humane and equal South Africa.